Underground mining machine

ABSTRACT

A mining machine includes front and rear sections connected together for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The front section is made up of a unitary frame which includes a lower frame portion, upwardly extending legs, and a roof portion. The roof portion defines an opening, and a door is associated therewith to selectively block and unblock such opening. A power unit is associated with the rear section, and is easily detachable therefrom.

United States Patent 1191 Stedman et al.

[451 Feb. 18, 1975 UNDERGROUND MINING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Robert N.Stedman, Chillicothe; Jay J. Murphy; Everette M. Volle, both of Morton,all of I11.

[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, Ill.

[22] Filed: Oct. 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 409,623

[52] U.S. Cl. 214/778, 180/54 F, 180/77 MC [51] Int. Cl B661 9/00 [58]Field of Search 214/778, 773, 775, 140; 296/137 E; 180/77 MC, 64 R, 54F, 54 R, 64

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1942 Stoltz 180/77 MC3/1960 Rothweiler et al 180/64 L 11/1961 Mathew et al.

Fleming et al. 214/773 X 3,734,223 5/1973 Anderson 180/64 L FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 212,679 5/1967 Sweden 296/137 E PrimaryExaminerDrayton E. Hoffman Assistant ExaminerHadd Lane Attorney, Agent,or FirmPhillips, Moore, Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT Amining machine includes front and rear sections connected together forpivotal movement about a vertical axis. The front section is made up ofa unitary frame which includes a lower frame portion, upwardly extendinglegs, and a roof portion. The roof portion defines an opening, and adoor is associated therewith to selectively block and unblock suchopening. A power unit is associated with the rear section, and is easilydetachable therefrom.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 1 8 I975 sum 2 BF 3 on \{m mmm 09 m mm m sum 30H;

FATENTED FEB] 8 I975 UNDERGROUND MINING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to loader vehicles, and moreparticularly, to a low profile wheel type loader vehicle which isparticularly adapted for working in mines where overhead clearance islow.

Typically, loader vehicles used in underground mining are constructed ina conventional manner similar to loader vehicles used above ground.Because the mine shafts leading to the mines are generally smaller thansuch a vehicle, such prior art mining loaders must be taken apart pieceby piece to be placed into or removed from the mine. Such dismantlingand assembly of the vehicle require an excessive amount of time andtherefore reduces overall productivity of the vehicle. See, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,619 to Wagner.

Another disadvantage of known prior art loaders is that little or noconsideration is given to the protection of the operator during theoperation of the vehicle in the mine. In addition to the above-mentionedpatent, see US. Pat. No. 3,115,259 to Wagner in this regard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide aloader vehicle which is particularly adapted for working in mines.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a loader vehiclewhich, while fulfilling the above object, allows relatively rapiddisassembly thereof into compo-v nents to permit easier transportthrough mine shafts and later assembly thereof.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a loaderwhich, while fulfilling the above objects, provides for properprotection for the operator of the vehicle during operation of suchvehicle in the mine.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a loadervehicle which, while fulfilling the above objects, is relatively simplein design, and can utilize a large number of standard productioncomponents.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises a material handling vehiclecomprising a rear section having a pair of supporting wheels, and afront section having a pair of supporting wheels, the rear and frontsections being connected together for pivotal movement about a verticalaxis. The front section comprises a unitary frame comprising a lowerframe portion, an upwardly extending frame portion extending therefrom,and a roof portion at the upper portion of the upwardly extending frameportion. A material handling implement is disposed adjacent the front ofthe front section, and means interconnect the implement and unitaryframe of the front section forraising and lowering the implementrelative thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other objects of the inventionwill become apparent from a study of the following specification anddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a motor vehicle incorporatingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the motor vehicle of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the loader vehicle of FIGS. 1and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a lowprofile material handling vehicle for mines is generally indicated at10, and includes a front section 12 and a rear section 14. The frontsection 12 includes a unitary frame 16 including a pair of laterallyspaced sidewalls 18 having upwardly extending front legs 20. A bottomportion 22 extends between and interconnects the sidewalls 18. A lowerupstanding rear wall 24 extends between and interconnects the rearwardedges of the sidewalls 18. The lower edge of the rear wall 24 isconnected to the rearward edge of the bottom portion 22 to complete anenclosure for a sideways oriented operator station 26. A pair oflaterally spaced upwardly extending rear legs 28 have their lower endsconnected to the upper end of the rear wall 24. The portions 18, 22, 24make up a lower frame portion, and the legs 20, 28 form an upwardlyextending frame portion 30. A roof 32 is fixed to and interconnects theupper portions of these legs 20, 28. The roof 32 defines an opening 34therethrough and a slidably mounted door 36 is provided in the roof 32which, when open, unblocks the opeing 34, to permit the operator tostand up therethrough for better visibility during critical manueveringoperations. The door 36 may also be selectively closed to block suchopening 34.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pair of vertically disposed side plates 38have opposite upper and lower ends connected to the front edges of theroof 32 and the bottom portion 22 respectively.

First and second laterally spaced lift arms 40 have their rear endsdisposed between respective pairs of front legs 20 and side plates 38,these rear ends being section 12, and is pivotally mounted on the frontends of the lift arms 40 and is adapted to be selectively tilted thereonby mechanical tilt linkage partially shown at 48.

The front section 12 is supported at its forward end by a rigidlymounted front axle housing 50 which in turn is supported by laterallyspaced wheels 52. The rear section is supported by a trunnion mountedrear housing 54 as shown in FIG. 2, which, in turn, is supported by apair of laterally spaced rear wheels 56.

The front section 12 is articulately connected to the rear section 14about a vertically disposed pivot axis by means of a pair of verticallyspaced hitch connections 58. Steering of the vehicle 10 is accomplishedby pivoting the section 12, 14 about such an axis in the usual manner bya pair of hydraulic jacks 60 mounted between the front and rearsections.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the rear section 14 includes a frame 62 whichin turn includes a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extendingside members 63, 64 which are interconnected at their forward ends by apair of elevationally spaced cross members 68 disposed adjacent andforming a part of the hitch connections 58. An upstanding supportstructure 70 is formed integrally with the rear frame 62 and extendstransversely between side members 63, 64 intermediate the forward andrearward ends thereof. The support structure 70 includes a pair ofhorizontally disposed plates 72, 74 extending rearwardly therefrom.

A pin-on power unit, generally indicated at 76, is removably mounted tothe rear section 14, and includes an integrally formed frame structure78. The power unit also includes a prime mover 80 in the form of anengine, a radiator 82, a torque converter 84, a transfer box 86, andother related components which are all mounted on the prime mover framestructure 78.

The frame structure 78 includes a pair of laterally spaced side plates88 extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom. The upward forward endsof the side plates 88 are connected by a horizontally disposed crossplate 90 which is disposed between the plates 88 of the supportstructure 78. A pair of laterally spaced upstanding brackets, only oneof which is shown at 92, are mounted to the frame structure 78 and areindividually disposed outwardly from the rearward ends of the sideplates 88 for individually receiving therebetween the rear end of eachof the spaced rear frame side members 63 and 64.

The pin-on power unit 76 is removably or detachably mounted to the rearsection 14 by a three-pin mounting arrangement consisting of pins 94,96, 98. The pin 94 is disposable through an aperture defined by the sidemember 63 of the rear frame 62 and apertures defined by side plate 88and bracket 92 of frame structure 78, such pin 94 being disposedgenerally transversely of the rear section 14. Likewise, pin 96 isdisposable through an aperture defined by the side member 64 of theframe 62 and apertures defined by the other side plate and bracket (notshown) of the prime mover frame structure 78, this pin 96 also beingdisposed generally transversely of the rear section 14. The third pin 98is disposable through apertures defined by the plates 72, 74 of thesupport structure 70, and an aperture defined by cross plate 90 of theprime mover frame structure 78, this pin 98 being diposed generallyvertically relative to the rear section 14. The pins 94, 96 arepositioned adjashaft 102 is mounted at the transfer box 86 by aslipspline coupling 104 so that the power unit 76 can be easilydisconnected therefrom. A forwardly extending drive shaft 106 and arearwardly extending drive shaft 108 extend from opposite sides of thelower end of the transmission 100 for transmitting power to the frontand rear axle housing 50, 54 respectively.

A tank unit 110, including a water tank 112 and opposite saddle tanks114, 116 for fuel and oil respectively, is detachably mounted on theforward position of the rear section 14 by fasteners secured to the sidemembers 63, 64. The water tank 112 serves as a water supply for a waterscrubber, partially at 118 in FIG. 3, for cleaning the exhaust gasesfrom the engine 80. The upper portion of the water tank 112 is beveledto provide the operator with greater rearward visibility. A combinationradiator guard and hood assembly 120 is detachably mounted to the framestructure 78 and the tank unit 110 by fasteners for enclosing the engine80 and its related components.

1 cent either side of the rear section 14 and the pin 98 is It will beseen that unitary construction of the front frame 16 of the vehicle 10provides for great strength thereof, and provides proper and safeoperator protection during mining operations. The vehicle 10 has a verylow overall profile, and the sliding door 36 in the roof 32 permits theoperator to stand up when necessary to obtain greater visibility duringcritical maneuvering operations.

The lift arms 40, it should be noted, are attached to the unitary frame16 between the upper and lower ends of the legs 20, instead of at theupper ends thereof. Such mounting arrangement provides great strengthand divides the loader forces more equally between the upper and lowerhitch connections 58. The use of a pinon power unit 76 in accordancewith the above description allows the rapid disassembly and assembly ofthe vehicle 10 into components to permit relatively easy transportthrough mine shafts. Such design also permits a quick change in thepower unit if so desired, and permits quick and easy dynomometer testingof the power unit. Such design also permits easy disassembly and removalof the power unit for above ground repairs.

What is claimed is:

1. A material handling vehicle comprising:

a rear section having a pair of supporting wheels;

3 front'section having a pair of supporting wheels, the rear and frontsections being connected together for pivotal movement about a verticalaxis;

said front section comprising a unitary frame comprising a lower frameportion, an upwardly extending frame portion extending therefrom andcomprising front leg means, and a roof portion at the upper portion ofthe upwardly extending frame portion;

a material handling implement adjacent the front of the front section;and

means on said front leg means and'in front of said roof interconnectingthe implement and the unitary frame of thefront section for raising andlowering the implement relative thereto. I

2. The material handling vehicle of claim 1 wherein the roof portiondefines an opening therethrough, and further comprising openable andclosable door means connected to the roof portion for selectivelyunblocking and blocking said opening.

3. The material handling vehicle of claim 2 wherein the meansinterconnecting the implement and front leg means of the unitary framecomprise arm means connected to the implement and pivotally connected tothe front leg means between the lower portion and roof portion, andcylinder means interconnecting the unitary frame and arm means.

4. The material handling vehicle of claim 3 wherein the front leg meanscomprises first and second leg members, and wherein the arm meanscomprise first and second arms pivotally connected to the first andsecond leg members respectively.

5. The material handling vehicle of claim 4 and further comprising aprime mover, and a prime mover frame structure to which the prime moveris mounted, and means for removably securing the prime mover framestructure to the rear section, comprising pin means, and meansinterconnecting the prime mover with at least one of the support wheels,with the prime mover frame structure so secured, for driving thevehicle.

6. The material handling vehicle of claim 5 wherein the means forremovably securing the prime mover frame structure to the rear sectioncomprise a first pin disposable through a first aperture defined by therear section and a first aperture defined by the prime mover framestructure, said first pin being disposed generally transversely of saidrear section,a second pin disposable through a second aperture definedby the rear section and a second aperture defined by the prime moverframe structure, said second pin'being disposed generally transverselyof said rear section, and a third pin disposable through a thirdaperture defined by the rear section and a third aperture defined by theprime mover frame structure, and disposed generally vertically relativeto the rear section.

7. The material handling vehicle of claim 6 wherein the first and secondpins are positioned adjacent either side of the rear section, andwherein the third pin is positioned forwardly of and intermediate thefirst and second pins.

8. The material handling vehicle of claim 1 wherein the meansinterconnecting the implement and front leg means of the unitary framecomprise arm means connected to the implement and pivotally connected tothe front leg means between the lower portion and roof portion, andcylinder means interconnecting the unitary frame and arm means.

9. The material handling vehicle of claim 8 wherein the front leg meanscomprises first and second leg members, and wherein the arm meanscomprise first and second arms pivotally connected to the first andsecond leg members respectively.

10. The material handling vehicle of claim 1 and further comprising aprimemover, and a prime mover frame structure to which the prime moveris mounted, and means for removably securing the prime mover framestructure to the rear section, comprising pin means, and meansinterconnecting the prime mover with at least one of the support wheels,with the prime mover frame structure so secured, for driving thevehicle.

11. The material handling vehicle of claim 10 wherein the means forremovably securing the prime mover frame structure to the rear sectioncomprise a first pin disposable through a first aperture defined by therear section and a first aperture defined by the prime mover framestructure, said first pin being disposed generally transversely on saidrear section, a second pin disposable through a second aperture definedby the rear section and a second aperture defined by the prime moverframe structure, said second pin being disposed generally transverselyof said rear section, and a third pin disposable through a thirdaperture defined by the rear section and a third aperture defined by theprime mover frame structure, said third pin being disposed generallyvertically relative to the rear section.

12. The material handling vehicle of claim .11 wherein the first andsecond pins are positioned adjacent either side of the rear section, andwherein the third pin is positioned forwardly of and intermediate thefirst and second pins.

1. A material handling vehicle comprising: a rear section having a pairof supporting wheels; a front section having a pair of supportingwheels, the rear and front sections being connected together for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis; said front section comprising a unitaryframe comprising a lower frame portion, an upwardly extending frameportion extending therefrom and comprising front leg means, and a roofportion at the upper portion of the upwardly extending frame portion; amaterial handling implement adjacent the front of the front section; andmeans on said front leg means and in front of said roof interconnectingthe implement and the unitary frame of the front section for raising andlowering the implement relative thereto.
 2. The material handlingvehicle of claim 1 wherein the roof portion defines an openingtherethrough, and further comprising openable and closable door meansconnected to the roof portion for selectively unblocking and blockingsaid opening.
 3. The material handling vehicle of claim 2 wherein themeans interconnecting the implement and front leg means of the unitaryframe comprise arm means connected to the implement and pivotallyconnected to the front leg means between the lower portion and roofportion, and cylinder means interconnecting the unitary frame and armmeans.
 4. The material handling vehicle of claim 3 wherein the front legmeans comprises first and second leg members, and wherein the arm meanscomprise first and second arms pivotally connected to the first andsecond leg members respectively.
 5. The material handling vehicle ofclaim 4 and further comprising a prime mover, and a prime mover framestructure to which the prime mover is mounted, and means for removablysecuring the prime mover frame structure to the rear section, comprisingpin means, and means interconnecting the prime mover with at least oneof the support wheels, with the prime mover frame structure so secured,for driving the vehicle.
 6. The material handling vehicle of claim 5wherein the means for removably securing the prime mover frame structureto the rear section comprise a first pin disposable through a firstaperture defined by the rear section and a first aperture defined by theprime mover frame structure, said first pin being disposed generallytransversely of said rear section, a second pin disposable through asecond aperture defined by the rear section and a second aperturedefined by the prime mover frame structure, said second pin beingdisposed generally transversely of said rear section, and a third pindisposable through a third aperture defined by the rear section and athird aperture defined by the prime mover frame structure, and disposedgenerally vertically relative to the rear section.
 7. The materialhandling vehicle of claim 6 wherein the first and second pins arepositioned adjacent either side of the rear section, and wherein thethird pin is positioned forwardly of and intermediate the first andsecond pins.
 8. The material handling vehicle of claim 1 wherein themeans interconnecting the implement and front leg means of the unitaryframe comprise arm means connected to the implement and pivotallyconnected to the front leg means between the lower portion and roofportion, and cylinder means interconnecting the unitary frame and armmeans.
 9. The material handling vehicle of claim 8 wherein the front legmeans comprises first and second leg members, and wherein the arm meanscomprise first and second arms pivotally connected to the first andsecond leg members respectively.
 10. The material handling vehicle ofclaim 1 and further comprising a prime mover, and a prime mover framEstructure to which the prime mover is mounted, and means for removablysecuring the prime mover frame structure to the rear section, comprisingpin means, and means interconnecting the prime mover with at least oneof the support wheels, with the prime mover frame structure so secured,for driving the vehicle.
 11. The material handling vehicle of claim 10wherein the means for removably securing the prime mover frame structureto the rear section comprise a first pin disposable through a firstaperture defined by the rear section and a first aperture defined by theprime mover frame structure, said first pin being disposed generallytransversely on said rear section, a second pin disposable through asecond aperture defined by the rear section and a second aperturedefined by the prime mover frame structure, said second pin beingdisposed generally transversely of said rear section, and a third pindisposable through a third aperture defined by the rear section and athird aperture defined by the prime mover frame structure, said thirdpin being disposed generally vertically relative to the rear section.12. The material handling vehicle of claim 11 wherein the first andsecond pins are positioned adjacent either side of the rear section, andwherein the third pin is positioned forwardly of and intermediate thefirst and second pins.